Frequently Asked Questions
What awards will students be able to achieve through studying this specification?
What grades will students entered for GCE Physics be able to achieve?
What will students have to study in this specification?
What is the percentage assessment weighting of each unit?
How many exams will students have to sit?
Will students be able to re-sit exams?
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
Are there any prohibited combinations for this revised GCE Physics specification?
Q. What awards will students be able to achieve through studying this specification?
A. GCE Physics is comprised of two levels: AS and A2. The AS can be taken as a 'stand-alone' qualification without progression to A2. However, to obtain the Advanced GCE qualification, students must complete both the AS and A2 levels.
Q. What grades will students entered for GCE Physics be able to achieve?
A. Both the AS and A Level qualifications will be awarded on a five-grade scale: A, B, C, D and E. Students who fail to reach the minimum standard for a Grade E will be recorded as U (unclassified) and will not receive an AS or A Level certificate.
Q. What will students have to study in this specification?
A. The specification has a modular structure and students will have to study three modules at each level. The modules are listed below and are all compulsory:
AS Level
AS 1: Forces, Energy and Electricity
AS 2: Waves, Photons and Medical Physics
AS 3: Practical Techniques
A2 Level
A2 1: Momentum, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic
and Nuclear Physics
A2 2: Fields and their Applications
A2 3: Practical Techniques
Q. What is the percentage assessment weighting of each unit?
A. The percentage assessment weighting of each unit is outlined in the table below:
| Unit | Weighting |
|---|---|
| AS 1: Forces, Energy and Electricity | 37% of AS 18.5% of AL |
| AS 2: Waves, Photons and Medical Physics | 37% of AS 18.5% of AL |
| AS 3: Practical Techniques | 26% of AS 13% of AL |
| A2 1: Momentum, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics | 37% of A2 18.5% of AL |
| A2 2: Fields and their Applications | 37% of A2
18.5% of AL |
| A2 3: Practical Techniques | 26% of A2
13% of AL |
Q. How many exams will students have to sit?
A. Students will have to sit six exam papers, one for each module. Each exam will last 1 ½ hours. The exams for modules AS 1, AS 2, A2 1 and A2 2 will be externally assessed. However, the exams for modules AS 3 and A2 3 will be internally assessed and externally moderated.
Q. Will students be able to re-sit exams?
A. Yes, students will be able to re-sit AS and A2 exams. The best result for each exam will count towards the AS and A Level qualifications.
Q. Are there any prerequisites for this course?
A. The AS specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed within GCSE Science: Double Award, GCSE Science: Physics or other equivalent courses. Knowledge, understanding and skills developed within GCSE Mathematics are also relevant. The A2 specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed within the AS course..
Q. Are there any prohibited combinations for this revised GCE Physics specification?
A. Yes, in any one series of examinations, students will not be able to take examinations on this specification with examinations in any other GCE Physics specification.
There is a small amount of overlap between this specification and GCE specifications in Chemistry, Mathematics, and GNVQ Advanced Science. However, the overlap is not enough to restrict the combination of any of these subjects with GCE Physics.